Every day, new products debut. Whether in the line of electronics or fashion, someone, somewhere has to have it. We may not know exactly what it does or embrace it, but the start of any trend has got to be good, right?
What happens to those older products, the once-trendy items we have stashed away in the back of our closets or tucked away in the basement? We try to sell them on eBay, desperately praying that some generation junkie might bid high enough to make the purchase.
Well, don’t make your yard sale pile just yet. While rummaging through your stashed cardboard boxes during your spring cleaning, keep an eye out for some once trendy products that are making a comeback in 2009.
CK One
A few years ago, it was trendy for everyone to smell the same. Guys and girls didn’t need different scents to distinguish gender. Well, CK One, the original unisex fragrance, is back.
The product launched its “we are one” campaign in January; it features men and women of all ages singing an original song written specifically for the campaign. A limited edition bottle, with “we are one” written in multiple languages, is for sale in stores nationwide. So unless it’s sitting somewhere collecting dust, go out and buy it. The scent is sure to linger for a while.
Three-Piece Suits
If you’re a man who still wants to look snazzy, well-dressed, and put together during an economic meltdown, try opting for the three-piece suit. Think of it as dressing in the roaring twenties during the Great Depression. It’s a classic ensemble that looks professional and fashionable. However, while men may not be able to get away with three pieces from back in the day, they can certainly add their grandfathers’ old pocket watches to give their look an authentic flair.
Old School Toys
The 1970s classic “Hungry, Hungry Hippos” is making its way back into the gaming spotlight. The conga-line-dancing hippo commercial is back on television, and the travel-size edition has been made available.
The popular boy-toy “G.I. Joe” is also being relaunched. He’s been a military hero, as well as an adventurer, and he fought environmental polluters in the 1990s. With an ever-changing face and attire meant to fit in with each generation, the question is: who will Joe be this year? And with a new face comes a new movie. “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra” comes out in August of this year. So bring along your old pal and hit up the big screen together.
SPAM (not the kind you find in your e-mail)
SPAM could be making its way back into the pantry shelves of many homes. With the downward sliding economy, this meat-like product seems to be replacing real meat in some cases, being that it is the cheaper alternative. The sales are actually at their highest since World War II.
TIME magazine recently ran an article that asked credible chefs to come up with some SPAM recipes. From the results, they actually don’t seem half bad. Consider one of them before tossing your SPAM, much like your junk e-mail.
Record Players
Don’t get rid of that old record player just yet. Just when you thought iPods and mp3 players were considered the popular music source, vinyl records are coming back into play. While album sales have been down within the past year, vinyl sales have gone up, from 990,000 last year to 1.88 million this past year.
According to the Financial Post, artists such as Madonna, U2, and R.E.M are going for vinyl releases with their next albums. So, if you don’t already own a record player, keep your fingers crossed that a future yard sale will have one (assuming that the seller was clueless of this comeback).
Reel Mowers
Comebacks are going green. Get ready to reely mow your lawn, with a reel lawn mower. Ever since society has gone eco-friendly, consumers are opting for manual style mowers rather than gas powered. While gas powered mowers are currently more popular, retailers have been noticing a trend in reel mower sales. Because of this trend, more stores are starting to carry manual mowers, whereas most purchasers previously had to buy them online. So get your butt in gear and pick up one of these at your local hardware store.
Dr. Martens
Remember those clunky, noisy, heavy objects you used to wear on your feet? Well, they’re back. No longer will you be sneaking up on unassuming people in your ballet flats. Dr. Martens are back in style and have come back better than ever with new colors, designs, and styles. But don’t worry, the old colors are alive and well so don’t feel pressured to buy a new spring color or style. So dig through your closet, buff on a little shoe polish, and start clomping down the street just like in the good old days.
Whether it’s a product that you already own, layered with years of dust bunnies, or a product with a comeback worthy of your attention, consider these products if you’re looking to be trendy this year. After all, if New Kids on the Block had a hit in 2008 after years out of the lime-light, and Britney Spears can come back better than ever after hitting rock bottom, at least one of these products will make a lasting impression in 2009. And, if not, it’s sure to come back around…eventually.





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